Folding Device and Electronic Equipment Using the Same

1. A folding device comprising: a stationary part: a movable part disposed to be rotatable in unfolding and folding directions with respect to said stationary part, said movable part having a movable cam; a force-applying section operable to urge said movable part in the unfolding direction when said movable part is in an unfolded state, and in the folding direction when said movable part is in a folded state, said force-applying section comprising a spring for urging said movable cam of said movable part toward said stationary part, and a slider, said slider having a stationary cam disposed opposite to said movable cam and adapted to contact said movable cam, and a support cam disposed on a side opposite to said stationary cam; a reversing section for allowing said force-applying section to change a direction of urging of said movable part from the folding direction to the unfolding direction when said movable part is in the folded state, said reversing section comprising a releaser having a release cam adapted to make resilient contact with said movable cam, and a reversing part fixed to said stationary part and having a reversing cam adapted to make resilient contact with said movable cam in response to disengagement of said movable cam from said stationary cam; and an actuator for operating said reversing section when a pressing force is applied to said actuator in the folded state.

2. The folding device of claim 1 , wherein said force-applying section urges said movable part in the unfolding direction when said movable part is in the unfolded state and urges said movable part in the folding direction when said movable part is in the folded state, in response to engagement of said movable cam with a predetermined position on said stationary cam.

3. The folding device of claim 2 , wherein said stationary cam has a first ramp and a second ramp, when said movable cam contacts said first ramp, said movable cam is urged in the unfolding direction, and when said movable cam contacts said second ramp, said movable cam is urged in the folding direction.

4. The folding device of claim 1 , further comprising a release shaft engaging with said releaser and having a change cam disposed on a side opposite to a side engaged with said releaser, wherein said actuator has an actuating cam for rotatively moving said releaser by contacting said change cam.

5. The folding device of claim 4 , wherein said releaser and said release shaft are integrated in as one structure.

6. The folding device of claim 4 , wherein said movable part changes rotating direction from the folding direction to the unfolding direction by said actuating cam rotatively moving said releaser by contacting said change cam, said release cam disengaging from said support cam in response to the rotative movement of said releaser and said slider sliding toward said stationary part, and said movable cam moving from said stationary cam to contact said reverse cam.

7. The folding device of claim 1 , further comprising a movable case engaged with said movable part, said movable case rotating as said movable part rotates.

8. The folding device of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator case engaging with said stationary part.

9. The folding device of claim 1 , wherein said reversing section further includes a return spring engaged with said releaser and said reversing part, said return spring being adapted to urge said releaser in a rotating direction.

10. The folding device of claim 1 , further comprising an actuating return spring adapted to urge said actuator in a direction away from said reversing section.

11. The folding device of claim 1 , further comprising a push button for applying a pressing force to said actuator.

12. The folding device of claim 1 , wherein said spring, said slider, said reversing part, said releaser, said stationary part, and said actuator are aligned in a row having an identical axial line.

13. An electronic device comprising: a folding device including: a stationary part; a movable part adapted to be rotatable in unfolding and folding directions with respect to said stationary part, said movable part having a movable cam; a force-applying section operable to urge said movable part in the unfolding direction when said movable part is in an unfolded state, and in the folding direction when said movable part is in a folded state, said force-applying section comprising a spring for urging said movable cam of said movable part toward said stationary part, and a slider, said slider having a stationary cam disposed opposite to said movable cam and adapted to contact said movable cam, and a support cam disposed on a side opposite to said stationary cam; a reversing section for allowing said force-applying section to change a direction of urging of said movable part from the folding direction to the unfolding direction when said movable part is in the folded state, said reversing section comprising a releaser having a release cam adapted to make resilient contact with said movable cam, and a reversing part fixed to said stationary part and having a reversing cam adapted to make resilient contact with said movable cam in response to disengagement of said moveable cam from said stationary cam; and an actuator for operating said reversing section when a pressing force is applied to said actuator in the folded state; a stationary housing connected to said stationary part; and a movable housing connected to said movable part.

14. The electronic equipment of claim 13 , wherein said stationary housing includes at least one of an operating section and a voice-input section on a top surface of said stationary housing, and said movable housing includes at least one of an informing section and a voice-output section on a top surface of said movable housing.